Microsoft to End Windows 7 Mainstream Support

Generally, Microsoft supports an operating system that it releases to consumers for a total of ten years. This support consists of mainstream support, in which Microsoft provides free security updates, non-security hot-fixes, performance enhancements, feature improvements, and design changes, as well as extended support, where the company only provides free security updates but charges for hotfix support. With Windows 7 nearing the five-year mark since it was initially released, mainstream support for the operating system is scheduled to end early next year. On January 13, 2015, all versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 will be moved into extended support, where the operating systems will stay until early 2020.

While performance enhancements, feature improvements, and design changes are soon to end for Windows 7, computer manufacturers are still offering the operating system to consumers and plan to continue doing so until the end of October of this year.